Brilliant Cut Gemstone Cluster

ABSTRACT

A brilliant cut gemstone cluster setting is provided which includes a faceted large round gemstone; a plurality of small round gemstones; and a cluster setting having a central round cavity receiving the faceted large round gemstone and a plurality of peripheral cavities surrounding the central round cavity with each peripheral cavity receiving one of the plurality of small round gemstones and being set at an angle relative to the central round cavity to cause the small round gemstone to simulate a crown angle of a brilliant cut stone, and the plurality of small round gemstones retaining the faceted large round gemstone. Also provided is a cluster setting for holding the gemstones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention

The invention concerns a brilliant cut set of faceted gemstones resembling a single stone of comparable carat weight but significantly less expensive.

The Related Art

Many have sought to create a cluster of gemstones, particularly diamonds, simulating in shape a single round gemstone. For instance, the trade has seen entries by the name of Ashi Lovebright, Ideal Star, Unity by Kiran Jewels, and Fantasy Diamond. All these attempts at simulation fall short of being good imitations. Settings are all flat and do not have a circumferential girdle of light reflection necessary for a true simulation. Moreover, all the stones are soldered together and thereby the simulation cannot itself be placed in a further ornamental setting. Separation and recovery of component gemstones also is not readily accomplished by the known cluster simulants.

Amongst patent disclosures in this field are a series of granted patents to Whitehouse including U.S. Pat. No. 1,204,915, U.S. Pat. No. 1,204,916 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,204,917. Whitehouse differs from the present invention in not having a central stone significantly larger than the side stones. Each stone requires prongs of a type which take away from the desired aesthetic. The resultant effect is a poor simulation of a large brilliant cut gemstone.

US Patent Application Publication 2013/0227969 A1 (Kothari) aims to provide a gemstone setting in which a primary diamond with a large crown area and a slightly reduced pavilion and broad flat culet is mounted over a smaller secondary diamond to enhance the visual appearance of the primary diamond. The object is to replicate the appearance of the primary diamond yet gain a reduced pavilion. There is no suggestion regarding achieving the same appearance of an expensive high carat stone through artful substitution by a less costly set of lower carat stones. 2

U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,633 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,121, both to Pachauer and assigned to Fantasy Diamond Corporation, describe a touch and two anchor gemstones. The anchor gemstones overlap and hold the touch gemstone in place, No metal is said to be visible between these gemstones.

U.S. Design U.S. Pat. No. 650,308 (Roehl et al), assigned to Fantasy Diamond Corporation, reveals an ornamental arrangement of ten smaller gemstones surrounding a larger stone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A brilliant cut gemstone cluster setting is provided which includes:

(i) a faceted large round gemstone; (ii) a plurality of small round gemstones;

(iii) a duster setting having a central round cavity receiving the faceted large round gemstone and a plurality of peripheral cavities surrounding the central round cavity with each peripheral cavity being smaller than the central cavity and receiving one of the plurality of small round gemstones, the peripheral cavities each being set at an angle relative to the central round cavity to cause the small round gemstones to simulate a crown angle of a brilliant cut stone, and the plurality of small round gemstones retaining the faceted large round gemstone.

Also provided is a cluster setting having a central round cavity sized for receiving a faceted large round gemstone and a plurality of peripheral cavities surrounding the central round cavity with each peripheral cavity being smaller than the central cavity and sized for receiving one of a plurality of small round gemstones, and each of the peripheral cavities being set at an angle relative to the central round cavity to allow each of the small round gemstones to simulate a crown angle of a brilliant cut stone. 3

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from consideration of the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a brilliant cut gemstone cluster;

FIG. 2 is a side partially sectioned view of the gemstone duster shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a side plan view of the gemstone cluster shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2b is an identical side plan view as shown in FIG. 2a except highlighting a different angle on the gemstone cluster;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a cluster setting employed for placement of the gemstones in a configuration shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation partial view of the cluster setting according to FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cluster setting shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now it has been found that the aesthetics of a brilliant cut single large gemstone can be simulated by a collectively lees costly set of gemstones. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention. The brilliant cut gemstone duster 2 features a faceted large round gemstone 4 surrounded by eight smaller gemstones 6. The stones are held within a cluster setting 8.

FIGS. 1 and 2 particularly show how the smaller gemstones 6 overlap sections of the large round gemstone 4 to hold the latter in place without need of any prongs, solder or other restraining mechanism (except for the 4 gemstone's central cavity 12). The faceted large round gemstone on an tipper surface features a table 10 having a coincident horizontally oriented plane 14. The small round gemstones seat lower than the faceted large round gemstone. Consequently, unlike known clusters, the large round gemstone projects via table 10 as the uppermost part of the gemstone duster setting. This focuses a viewer's gaze on the central, stone and away from the periphery.

FIG. 2a shows significant spatial and angular relationships via a side plan view of the gemstone cluster 2. An array of setting bars 34 separate and fasten the small round gemstones to the duster setting. Each setting bar features a triangular plate 36 having a polished surface 16, the surface being coincident with a plane 16. Planes 14 and 16 intersect to create a triangular plate angle A. Angle A may range between 10 and 85 degrees, often between 30 and 50 degrees, and most advantageously between 45 and 48 degrees.

A girdle 20 surrounds the cluster setting and forms a maximum outward circumferential border around an inward tapered lower member 22 of the cluster setting. Floor 24 on a bottom section of the lower member sits on a horizontal plane 26. A taper angle B is formed between a taper axis 28 of the tapered lower member and intersection with floor 24. Numerically, taper angle B may range between 30 and 60 degrees and most advantageously between 45 and 55 degrees. Although compliance with the angle B parameter is useful for certain embodiments, other embodiments may possess an angle B considerably lower or higher than one between 30 and 60 degrees.

FIG. 2b illustrates planar relationships that form an angle C. Plane 14 coincident with the upper surface of table 10 creates a stone facet angle C at an intersection with plane 25 formed along a table facet 28 of one of the small round gemstones. Stone facet angle C may range from 10 to 85 degrees, often between 20 and 40 degrees, and most advantageously from 30 to 40 degrees. 5

Gemstones useful with the present invention as either the large or small gemstones may include diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and zircons. Best results for a trompe l'oeil, deception of the eye, effect is to employee all similar type and color gemstones. Setting bars should be of similar color. For instance, one useful embodiment employs all yellow diamonds and yellow gold setting bars.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the total number of gemstones employed may be eight or nine, particularly nine as shown in the figures. Too many small round gemstones require too many setting bars; this defeats the trompe l'oeil effect. Too few of the small surrounding stones may be inadequate to hold the central large stone (necessitating prong or solder support for the large stone). Advantageously in certain preferred embodiments, prongs or solder may not be necessary for securing the faceted large gemstone and will therefore be absent, Aesthetics will thereby be improved.

The faceted large round gemstone and plurality of small round gemstones may each have facets in number ranging from 16 to 120, but typically from 50 to 60 facets. Total number of facets for all gemstones together may range from 100 to 1200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the setting cluster used for holding the gemstones. In this embodiment there is a central cavity 12 for holding the faceted large round gemstone. A circular throne 30 is located within the central cavity to help seat the large round gemstone. Further revealed in this particular embodiment are eight peripheral cavities 32 surrounding the central cavity. Other embodiments may have peripheral cavities that may range as a plurality in number from six to twelve. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5 provides optimum aesthetics.

FIGS. 4 and 5 best reveal setting bars 34 a and 34 b flanking each of the eight peripheral cavities. Triangular plate 36 formed along an outward facing surface of the setting bar is defined by a pair of elongated edges 38 a and 38 b and a curved edge 40 adjacent a girdle 42. Adjoining the triangular plate are elongated facets 41 a and 41 b with concave outward 6 curvatures. The curvatures further help to reflect light. Usefully the elongated facets have slope angles ranging between 5 and 45 degrees. Advantageously, the triangular plate and elongated facets are finished to have high reflectivity (e.g. mirrored surfaces) consonant with light reflection through the gemstones, A finishing treatment may be applied through mechanical polishing or through application of a chemical coating or other techniques well known in the art.

In certain embodiments, lower member 22 of the cluster setting may be provided with a decorative pattern such as a filigree.

Setting bars used herein may also be referred to by the proprietary tradename of ‘facettines’.

Typical materials useful in forming the cluster setting, especially for the setting bars, may be selected from the group comprising silver, gold, platinum, palladium, tin, copper, zinc, nickel, iron and alloy combinations containing a majority of one or more of the aforementioned metals, Useful alloys include brass and bronze. Also effective may be electroplated nickel with a gold or silver colored coating.

Non-limiting but typical diameters for the faceted large round gemstone may range from about 1 to 8 mm, sometimes 3 to 5 mm, and often about 2 to 4 mm. The small round gemstones may have diameters relative to that of the faceted large round gemstone in a ratio of about 1:20 to about 1:2, and often about 1:5 to about 1:3 in size.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous modifications and variations are possible and are to be regarded as within the scope and spirit of this invention. 7 

1. A brilliant cut gemstone duster setting comprising: (i) a faceted large round gemstone; (ii) a plurality of small round gemstones; (iii) a duster setting having a central round cavity receiving the faceted large round gemstone and a plurality of peripheral cavities surrounding the central round cavity with each peripheral cavity being smaller than the central cavity and receiving one of the plurality of small round gemstones, the peripheral cavities each being set at an angle relative to the central round cavity to cause the small round gemstones to simulate a crown angle of a brilliant cut stone, the plurality of small round gemstones having portions overlapping the faceted large round gemstone, and a stone facet angle ranging from 30 to 40 degrees is formed at an intersection between a plane coincident with a table facet of one of the plurality of small round stones and a plane coincident with an upper table belonging to the faceted large round gemstone.
 2. The brilliant cut gemstone according to claim 1 wherein the cluster setting further comprises setting bars flanking each of the peripheral cavities, the setting bars on an outward surface having a triangular plate with two elongated edges and a curved edge, and elongated facets with concave outward curvatures adjoining each of the two elongated edges of the triangular plate, the triangular plate and elongated facets being finished to reflect light.
 3. The brilliant cut gemstone duster according to claim 2 wherein the setting bars are eight in number.
 4. The brilliant cut gemstone duster according to claim 1 wherein a triangular plate angle ranging from 10 to 85 degrees is formed at an intersection between a plane coincident with a surface of the triangular plate and a plane coincident with an upper table of the faceted large round gemstone.
 5. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 4 wherein the triangular plate angle ranges from 30 to 50 degrees.
 6. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 17 wherein a stone facet angle ranging from 20 to 40 degrees is formed at an intersection between a plane coincident with a table facet of one of the plurality of small round stones and a plane coincident with an upper table belonging to the faceted large round gemstone.
 7. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 6 wherein the stone facet angle ranges from 30 to 40 degrees.
 8. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 1 wherein the faceted large round gemstone and plurality of small gemstones are selected from the group consisting of diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and zircons.
 9. The brilliant cut gemstone duster according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of small round gemstones is 8 in number.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 1 wherein the faceted large round gemstone and plurality of small round gemstones each have facets in number ranging from 16 to 120 facets.
 12. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 11 wherein a total number of facets for all gemstones together may range from 100 to 1200 facets.
 13. The brilliant cut gemstone duster according to claim 1 wherein the small round gemstones have diameters relative to that of the faceted large round gemstone in a ratio of about 1:20 to about 1:2 in size.
 14. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 1 wherein the cluster setting supporting the gemstones is formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum, palladium, tin, copper, zinc, nickel, iron and alloy combinations containing a majority of one or more of the aforementioned metals.
 15. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 1 wherein neither the faceted large round gemstone nor the plurality of small round gemstones are secured to the cluster setting by solder.
 16. A cluster setting comprising a central round cavity sized for receiving a faceted large round gemstone and a plurality of peripheral cavities surrounding the central round cavity with each peripheral cavity being smaller than the central cavity and sized for receiving one of a plurality of small round gemstones, each of the peripheral cavities being set at an angle relative to the central round cavity to allow each of the small round gemstones to simulate a crown angle of a brilliant cut stone, and setting bars flanking each of the peripheral cavities, the setting bars on an outward surface having a triangular plate with two elongated edges and a curved edge, and elongated facets with concave outward curvatures adjoining each of the two elongated edges of the triangular plate, the triangular plate and elongated facets being finished to reflect light.
 17. A brilliant cut gemstone cluster setting comprising: (i) a faceted large round gemstone; (ii) a plurality of small round gemstones; (iii) a duster setting having a central round cavity receiving the faceted large round gemstone and a plurality of peripheral cavities surrounding the central round cavity with each peripheral cavity being smaller than the central cavity and receiving one of the plurality of small round gemstones, the peripheral cavities each being set at an angle relative to the central round cavity to cause the small round gemstones to simulate a crown angle of a brilliant cut stone, the plurality of small round gemstones having portions overlapping the faceted large round gemstone and setting bars flanking each of the peripheral cavities, the setting bars on an outward surface having a triangular plate with two elongated edges and a curved edge, and elongated facets with concave outward curvatures adjoining each of the two elongated edges of the triangular plate, the triangular plate and elongated facets being finished to reflect light.
 18. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 1 further comprising a circular throne located within the central cavity to help seat the large round gemstone.
 19. The brilliant cut gemstone cluster according to claim 17 further comprising a circular throne located within the central cavity to help seat the large round gemstone.
 20. The duster setting according to claim 16 further comprising a circular throne located within the central cavity to help seat a large round gemstone. 